Tag: Govia Thameslink Railway

My constituents continue to suffer appalling disruption with delays of 2-3 hours on their journeys to work now quite common. Trains are cancelled every day; those that do arrive are frequently late and over-crowded.

Six weeks on from the start of a new timetable which was supposed to bring better services this is clearly unacceptable. The government needs to demonstrate that it understands the frustration caused to so many travellers. Better compensation has already been announced for passengers in the Northern franchise area who will be receiving the cash equivalent of a four-week refund. I would like you now to require Thameslink to introduce an equivalent scheme for my constituent as soon as possible.

Michael has today (10) called for Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) to rethink the scheduled phasing of its new Thameslink fast service.

Writing to Chief Executive, Charles Horton, the Sevenoaks MP urged GTR to consider starting the postponed fast service as originally promised, but with one train per hour rather than the twice-hourly service originally planned. The alternative proposal aims to ensure that families and businesses in the northern parts of his constituency still benefit from services that would help local regeneration.

Michael indicated it was possible to meet the capacity problem by protecting existing services and pursuing a more balanced phasing in of new services.

He said: “It is vital that the result of this delay avoids punishing businesses and commuters in my constituency who have anticipated the introduction of this new service now for over four years.”